Yes, you read it right. We are in June, and Garba/dandiya is traditionally celebrated in September or October.
But now the Auckland Indian Association (AIA), in conjunction with the Centre for Indian Performing Arts, is organising a Midwinter Garba and Dandiya Night on June 10 (Friday) at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
Giving more details about the idea behind the event, Dhansukh Lal, President of AIA, says, "Over the last two years, we have not been able to have our usual garba event due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. And people had been asking us when we would have it. Now that things are better, we decided to organise the mid-winter garba and Dandiya night.”
Ever since people have known about it, there has been an enormous response. People are looking forward to going to a community event and spending quality time with their loved ones, and what better than doing that over some garba dance moves.
“We are overwhelmed with the response we have had since we advertised this on our social media. We will have live music, and our local musicians have been working hard to bring together this event,” says Lal.
Bhavisha Patel, one of the event organisers, also expressed her happiness that Mahatma Gandhi Centre will have a garba event after a wait of two years.
She says, “Garba is synonymous with the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, and it has been a long two years without garba. Now that we finally have more freedom to host events and start getting back to normal, it is great to have this event. The doors will open at 7 pm, with garba starting at 8 pm.
“The entry fee is $5 and free for children under 10. We will be entertained by some of New Zealand's hidden musical talents, and there will also be a delicious menu of food items available. There will be prizes for best dressed, so come down to the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in your best chaniya cholis and sherwanis and enjoy a long-awaited night of dance, live music and food.”
Narendra Bhana, immediate past president of AIA and President of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA), also expressed his enthusiasm about the event saying, “Navratri is one of the Auckland Indian Association’s iconic celebrations. Indians and non-Indians throughout NZ eagerly wait for the Navratri celebration at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre. We thought it was time to get everyone together and enjoy garba/dandiya and mouth-watering delicacies.”
Even the community members are all pepped up about the event.
Says Swastika Patel, "I had been missing going to garba event and showing my dance moves. It is great that finally, after two years, we will be able to enjoy garba and a slice of our Indian culture."
Sharing the same sentiment, Bhavini Desai says, "I am already getting my attire sorted for the evening. I look forward to an evening of fun, dance and great food."
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What: Midwinter Garba and Dandiya Night
Where: Mahatma Gandhi Centre (145 New North Rd, Auckland).
When: June 10 (Friday)
Time: Doors open at 7 pm with garba starting at 8 pm
Entry fees: $5 and free for children under 10
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